Post-prandial glucose response (PPGR)

Post-prandial glucose response (PPGR) is a physiological measurement of the blood glucose excursion that occurs in the 2 to 4 hours following food ingestion. It represents a complex interplay of gastric emptying, intestinal absorption, insulin and glucagon secretion, and peripheral glucose disposal (Scientific Reports, 2020). In healthy individuals, these levels are tightly regulated; however, in type 2 diabetes, the response is often characterized by significant hyperglycemia due to impaired early-phase insulin release and insulin resistance (Diabetes Spectrum, 2016). Persistent postprandial hyperglycemia is recognized as an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease and is a major contributor to elevated HbA1c levels, even in patients with well-controlled fasting glucose (Dove Medical Press, 2024). Therapeutic strategies targeting PPGR include lifestyle modifications and pharmacological agents such as rapid-acting insulin analogs, meglitinides, and alpha-glucosidase inhibitors, which work to flatten glucose spikes and reduce oxidative stress (Med Ed 101, 2020). Efficient management of this response is crucial for preventing long-term diabetic complications and achieving overall metabolic stability.

Other names

Postprandial glycemiaPost-meal glucose excursionPostprandial glucosePPG

Management of this response involves diverse mechanisms including the stimulation of early-phase insulin secretion (meglitinides, rapid-acting insulin), suppression of glucagon release and slowing of gastric emptying (GLP-1 receptor agonists), and the inhibition of intestinal alpha-glucosidase to delay carbohydrate absorption (acarbose).